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Tropical Storm Winds 39-73 MPH Category 1 Hurricane-winds 74-95 MPH (64-82 kt or 119- 153 kph) Storm surge generally 4-5 feet above normal. No real damage to buildings. Damage to unanchored mobile homes, shrub- bery and trees. Some damage to poorly constructed signs. Also, some coastal flooding and minor pier damage. - Examples: Allison 1995 and Danny of 1997 were Category One hurricanes at peak intensity. Category 2 Hurricane-winds 96-110 MPH (83-95 kt or 154- 177 kph) Storm surge generally 6-8 feet above normal. Some damage to buildings roof, doors, and windows. Considerable dam- age to mobile homes. Considerable damage to shrubbery and trees with some trees blown down. Flooding damages piers and small craft in unprotected mooring may break their mooring. Some trees blown down - Example: Hurricane Bonnie of 1998, Hurricane George and Gloria of 1998. Category 3 Hurricane-winds 111-130 MPH (96-113 kt or 178- 209 kph) Storm surge generally 9-12 feet above normal. Some structural damage to small residences and utility buildings. Damage to shrubbery and trees with foliage blown off and large trees blown down. Mobile homes and poorly built sings destroyed. Low-lying escape routes may be cut by rising water 3-5 hours before arrival of the hurricane center. Flooding near the coast destroys smaller structures with larger structures damaged by floating debris. Ter- rain may be flooded well inland 8miles (13km) or more. Evacuation of low-lying residences with several blocks of the shoreline may be required– Examples: Hurricane Marilyn 1995, Fran 1996, Category 4 Hurricane-winds 131-155 MPH (114-135 kt or 210-249 kph) Storm surge generally 13-18 feet above normal. More extensive curtainwall failures with some complete roof struc- ture failure on small residences. Shrubs, trees and all signs are blown down. Complete destruction of mobile homes. Extensive damage to doors and windows. Low-lying escape routes may be cut by rising water 3-5 hours before arrival of hurricane center. Major damage to lower floors of structures near shoreline. Terrain lower than 10ft above sea level may be flooded requiring massive evacua- tion of residential areas as far inland as 6 miles (10km) –Examples: Hurricane Felix and Opal of 1995 and Donna 1960 reached Catego- ry Four status at peak intensity. Category 5 Hurricane– winds greater than 155MPH (135 kt or 249 kph) Storm surge generally greater than 18 feet above normal. Complete roof failure on many residences and industrial buildings. Some complete building failures with small utility build- ings blown over or away. All shrubs, trees, and signs blown down. Complete destruction of mobile homes. Severe and extensive win- dow and door damage. Low-lying escape routes are cut by rising water 3-5 hours before arrival of the hurricane center. Major dam- age to lower floor of all structures located less than 15 feet above sea level and within 500 yards of shoreline. Massive evacuation of residential areas on low ground within 5-10 miles (8-16km) of the shoreline may be required. Hurricane Mitch (west Caribbean) of 1998 and Hurricane Hugo (East Caribbean) of 1989 was at peak intensity over the Caribbean. Hurricane Gilbert was a Category Five hurricane at peak intensity and is the strongest Atlantic tropical cyclone of record. Learn about Insurance: 1131 King Street, Suite 101, 3rd Floor Christiansted, V.I. 00820 Tel: (340) 773-6459 Fax: (340) 719-3801 Or 5049 Kongens Gade St. Thomas, V.I. 00802 Tel: (340) 774-7166 Fax: (340) 774-9458 Visit our website regularly to learn about Banking, Insurance and Financial Regulation services in the Territory. Website: ltg.gov.vi Hurricane Maria / irma For More Information Visit: Www.fema.gov • Plan an evacuation route. • Contact VITEMA or American Red Cross chap- ter, and ask for the community hurricane pre- paredness plan. This plan should include infor- mation on the safest evacuation routes and near- by shelters. • Have disaster supplies on hand: 1. Flashlight and extra batteries 2. Portable, battery-operated radio and extra batteries 3. First aid kit and manual 4. Emergency dry and canned food and water 5. Non-electric can opener 6. Essential medical supplies, toiletries, pre- scriptions and other supplies 7. Cash and credit cards 8. Sturdy shoes • Secure loose debris or light objects in your yard that may be blown away. • Secure important documents (e.g. insurance policies, birth certificates, will and testaments, licenses etc.) Make sure that all family members know how to respond after a hurricane.  Teach family members how and when to turn off gas, electricity, and water.  Teach children how and when to call 911, police, or fire department and which radio station to tune to for emergency information  Have an emergency contact person or family member that lives away from potential disaster area on notice. Buy flood Insurance • You can find out about the National Flood In- surance Program through your local insurance agent or emergency management office. • Homeowners polices do not cover damage from the flooding that accompanies a hurri- cane. Buy Hurricane/Windstorm Insurance • Contact several agents and brokers for quotes and compare insurance premium rate. • Advise the insurance agent or broker specifi- cally what property you intend to cover. • Provide adequate description of your property. Make sure you are not underinsured • Review the terms on your insurance policy; • Take pictures of your home, car and personal belongings, which you may use when you file your claim for damages after the hurricane. Permanent shutters are the best protection. A low- er-cost approach is to put up plywood panels. Use 1/2 inch plywood-marine plywood is best-cut to fit each window. Remember to mark which board fits which window. Pre-drill holes every 18 inches for screws. Do this long before the storm. History teaches that lack of hurricane awareness and preparation are common threads among all major hur- ricane disasters. By knowing your vulnerability and what actions you should take, you can reduce the effects of a hurricane. A Hurricane Watch is issued when there is a threat of hurricane conditions within 24-36 hours. Listen to a battery-operated radio or television for hurricane progress reports. Check emergency supplies, fuel your car, secure buildings by closing and boarding windows. Remove outside antennas. Turn refrigerator and freezer to coldest setting. Open only when abso- lutely necessary and close quickly. Store drinking water in clean bathtubs, jugs, bottles, and cooking utensils. Store valuables and personal papers in a waterproof container on the highest level of your home. A Hurricane Warning is issued when hurricane conditions (winds of 74 miles per hour or greater or dangerously high water and rough seas) are expected in 24 hours or less. Listen constantly to a battery-operated radio for official in- structions. If in a mobile home, check tiedowns and evacuate immediately. If at home: Stay inside, away from windows, sky-lights, and glass doors. Keep a supply of flashlights and extra batteries handy. Avoid open flames, such as candles and kerosene lamps, as a source of light. If power is lost, turn off major appliances to reduce power “surge” when electricity is restored. Stay tuned to local radio for information. Return home only after authorities advise that it is safe to do so. Avoid loose or dangling power lines and report them immedi- ately to the power company, police, or fire department. Enter your home with caution. Open windows and doors to ventilate and dry your home. Check refrigerated foods for spoilage. Take pictures and make a list of the damage, both to the house and its contents for insurance claims. Use telephone only for emergency calls.